Fox News Channel Extends Cable News Ratings Winning Streak In January

Fox News Channel extended its cable news winning streak to 145 consecutive months with the release of January ratings. In overall audience FNC outstripped CNN and MSNBC combined in prime and in total day; it also led in the news demo, though by smaller margins.

With total viewers, FNC landed in the Top-5 among all cable networks in total day, while CNN and MSNBC settled for No. 38 and No. 29, respectively, and HLN clocked in at No. 47. In prime, FNC finished January at No. 7, CNN at No. 40, MSNBC at No. 30, and HLN at No. 46.

In primetime, only HLN grew year to year, in the demo – 6%, to 123,000 viewers. That said, FNC, at a leading 264,000 viewers, was down just 1% in the demo in primetime. CNN plunged 35% to 131,000 viewers in the age bracket, and MSNBC slid 2% to 231,000 viewers. In total day in the demo, HLN grew 11% to 101,000 viewers, besting CNN’s 98,000 – a 27% drop. MSNBC fell 8% to 148,00 viewers, while FNC grew 5% to lead the pack with 220,000 viewers.

Among viewers of all ages, FNC is the only network that grew year to year – up 5% to 1.693 million viewers, compared to MSNBC’s 677,000 viewers (down 14%), CNN’s 408,000 viewers (down 39%), and HLN’s 307,000 viewers (down 2%).

101 Comments

I thought it was more like TWICE the combined viewers of CNNMSNBC.
The insane clown posse’s that man the microphones at those networks aren’t legitimate people at all…barely credible.

PDM • on Jan 28, 2014 5:15 pm

I think uncle sugar needs to provide free Fox News to every one then let’s see how Brian Williams and the major networks fair with a level playing field…….

Reuter • on Jan 28, 2014 10:56 pm

What does it matter. We still are loosing at the polls and the overall public opinion. We lost. Sorry to say it but it is true.

manapp99 • on Jan 29, 2014 8:59 am

Who is this “we” to which you refer?

obozosux • on Jan 29, 2014 9:37 am

“We”??? Who’s we?? Please explain yourself.

TTT • on Jan 29, 2014 8:03 am

And Brian Williams in his half hour news cast had more total viewers than the one hour shows of Bill, Megan, and Sean, COMBINED.

obozesux • on Jan 29, 2014 9:38 am

Care to cite your source for that fabrication? Yeah…. I thought not.

Kurt • on Jan 29, 2014 10:11 am

Kind of a dumb comment given that NBC is available to EVERYONE and FNC is available to a fraction. Maybe think through that again.

FLCommonSense • on Jan 29, 2014 11:03 am

Free TV cannot compare to Cable TV. Never has, never will. You are apples to oranges on Brian Williams vs cable anything….

jd • on Jan 29, 2014 8:25 am

But I thought the Mainstream media was brainwashing America?
Sounds to me like Fox News IS the Mainstream Media!!!!!!

manapp99 • on Jan 29, 2014 9:02 am

The LIBERAL main stream media. Big difference

DougH2 • on Jan 29, 2014 12:03 pm

Fox used to have twice as many viewers. Fox is slipping. In a year or so, they won’t be on top anymore.

JBar595 • on Jan 28, 2014 11:43 am

This is news? Why even mention NBC or MSDNC, they lack relivance

sd • on Jan 28, 2014 12:56 pm

Are you talking about NBC’s evening news with Brian Williams? Because he gets 10 million per night. Hardly irrelevant and certainly blows Fox News out the water. FNC may rule cable, but they’re not even close to even the worst rated network news show (CBS, in case you’re wondering, with 7-8 million per night.)

Phuuk Eu Barry • on Jan 28, 2014 1:14 pm

Fox does not even have a non-cable national News to compete with NBC/CBS/ABC. So your comparison is irrelevant.

Just my opinion • on Jan 28, 2014 1:44 pm

No … I think he is talking about Limbaugh with 23 Million listeners. 7 Million … Bah!

rrbbkk • on Jan 29, 2014 12:04 pm

Rush’s most often cited numbers (i.e. 23 million) are cumulative. In other words the total number of people who tuned in if only for a few minutes. Time spent listening is key when calculating a radio audience and there Rush is in the neighborhood of 5-6 million daily.

FOX rules • on Jan 28, 2014 2:54 pm

Liberals get their information from from MTV and Comedy Central, no wonder MSDNC and CNN have no viewers.

Only the Facts, Mam • on Jan 28, 2014 4:04 pm

Now this is very true! Liberals can tell you all about the reality shows but they cannot tell you anything about the BOR or the DoI. They can only tell you what they heard the comedians say about the government and what is currently in the news.

KipNoxzema • on Jan 28, 2014 2:57 pm

Nice try at deflection. Fox News owns the news; those other networks can only get viewers from a laundromat in Queens.

CORINNE LOUISE CONNOLLY • on Jan 29, 2014 7:52 pm

Good one.

• on Jan 29, 2014 10:44 pm

Fox News high ratings are a result of being the most viewed network in nursing & retirement homes. Their demographics are through the roof for the over 65 viewer.

W B • on Jan 28, 2014 3:28 pm

The big difference? People PAY to watch Fox.

Tom • on Jan 29, 2014 11:37 am

That’s right, Fox News is paid for in my subscription. Are you telling me that the “entitlement” crowd don’t have cable that they don’t pay for (when they aren’t stealing it)? The “primetime news” on the free channels are a joke!

Bob Suyak • on Jan 28, 2014 4:12 pm

That’s because they are on free and on low channels, cable you have to pay for and are on higher channel numbers.

Sammie • on Jan 28, 2014 4:27 pm

CABLE news, not network news.

Prodius • on Jan 29, 2014 9:30 am

Comparing weekly NBC numbers to daily Fox numbers is ignorant.

NBC garnered 10 Million for the week. O’Reilly got 2.7 Million on Tuesday alone.

Bob • on Jan 28, 2014 4:53 pm

Fox sure is not new if you believe it I feel sorry for you as being part of the very uniformed right!!!

JoJoJams • on Jan 29, 2014 8:42 am

“Fox sure is not new if you believe it I feel sorry for you as being part of the very uniformed right!!!”

Now there’s a hilarious comment of ignorance! The epitome of so many slavering zombies of the loony left! While I can figure out what he was obviously trying to say, it’s still a funny read. Now, I better go put on my uniform and turn on some new cable news channel! ;-)

Elmore • on Jan 28, 2014 5:20 pm

JBar595,

Pretty shocking that a Fox News viewer doesn’t know how to spell “relevance.”

But that MSDNC quip is super clever. Good work!

Sam Crow • on Jan 28, 2014 12:22 pm

I watched CNN up until FNC came aboard. Up to then it was my source for news despite the light liberal bias. FNC was new and stood out immediately while CNN became like the rest. CNN is indisttinguishable from MSNBC from the other liberal crank box,

John Falcone • on Jan 28, 2014 12:44 pm

I am surprised the mad-cow has that many viewers.

Garnet Wolseley • on Jan 28, 2014 3:03 pm

Why? He’s a very nice young man.

Us com • on Jan 28, 2014 6:55 pm

Your comment is pretty damn funny LMFAO

Bruce tulio • on Jan 28, 2014 12:48 pm

I believe that the only thing keeping MSNBC in the game is their constant coverage of FNC exerpts that make people tune in from time to time only to watch their ridiculous comments about FNC. I also enjoy watching the assassination of the English language by the “Rev.” Al !

Even though CNN and MSNBC’s “best and brightest” prime time talent are constantly beaten in the ratings by the “Laugh-In Looks at the News” of Stewart and Colbert, they refuse to offer any points of view that conflict with the “O/Dem/Lib” agenda, propaganda, and talking points. And another thing, the masses of people who know about history and politics and pay attention to important current events, watch Fox. The other networks just “report” and comment to impress each other.

…and Fox is laughing all the way to bank with their profits, while you produce hilarious stuff like that.

Twilliam • on Jan 28, 2014 1:58 pm

Wake up Justin, you know very little about which you speak.

Xhilarate • on Jan 28, 2014 2:00 pm

Intelligent post Justin. Point made right there.

Doug • on Jan 28, 2014 2:18 pm

I see the sour grapes have left a lingering taste in your mouth. How long did it take you to type that brilliant essay?

rulierose • on Jan 28, 2014 2:36 pm

give him a break, Doug–he didn’t blame Bush even once! that’s pretty good for a prog.

Kevin • on Jan 28, 2014 2:46 pm

It’s true, Justin. Study after study show that FOXNews viewers are slightly more knowledgeable about current than viewers of other news stations. What’s not clear is why. Is FNC making them smarter? Or do people who are smarter choose to watch FNC?

I suspect it’s the latter but have no proof.

Mondo • on Jan 29, 2014 5:22 am

FNC is a double-edge sword. It informs and smart people watch it.

Alan • on Jan 28, 2014 11:46 pm

Well established that FNC viewers are more politically astute. Their numbers could not be so high if only watched by conservatives. O’Reilly, for example, has @ 30% dems watching. Alinskyesque tactics and lies are so yesterday, dumbass, dumbass, dumbass, dumbass…………………….boring.

Facts and Fox in the same sentence. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. My fingers just got numb or I would continue.

Sal • on Jan 28, 2014 7:19 pm

Yes, Fox had many liberals to balance out their opinion shows.
Their straight news does give both sides of the story whereas the Networks and CNN (Forget MSNBC…the real comedy channel) tend to give only the left side of the story or refuse to cover stories that are not beneficial to people whom they agree with politically.
The public understands this and watches the Fox News stories because they realize they will be better informed. Fox gives you diversity.

nsb jones • on Jan 28, 2014 1:12 pm

We watched CNN bak when it was the only game in town. I became more and more irritated over their bias and the fact they thought more of their world-wide journalism than they did being American. One of the journalists who wss in Iraq back in 1990 when the coalition went in to free Kuwait refused to be debriefed by the military because it might “compromise his journalistic intengrity”. What was he first? American or a reporter? It was a breath of fresh air when Fox came on line. Maybe CNN and MSNBC should take some lessons……might improve their botom line

sully • on Jan 28, 2014 1:38 pm

Tale away the barbershops and airports, CNN and MSNBC would close their doors. I quit watching them after I got FOX. Had to believe that people actually turn to them for the news. They have to delusional and in in deep denial. What else could it be?

Reinhard Heydrich • on Jan 28, 2014 4:49 pm

The sports club I attend keeps cnn,(clinton network news), on their TV in the lobby, prevents loitering.

Lincoln • on Jan 29, 2014 5:30 am

That’s funny

bill carson • on Jan 28, 2014 1:51 pm

Were I to invest in an news venture, I’d want to go conservative. The country is filled up with liberal TV networks, liberal cable, etc. The Fox people were very smart. They literally have NO competition.

Will Redding • on Jan 29, 2014 6:09 am

Finally!!! Someone gets it!!!

DougH2 • on Jan 29, 2014 12:06 pm

If only every news network paid people like Sarah Palin and Sean Hannity for their advice. Network news would be much more informative and smarter. And, if only clown cars held more clowns.

sally • on Jan 28, 2014 1:57 pm

Fox actually reports news. the other stations and the liberal newspapers only report selective news !

myron monk • on Jan 28, 2014 2:07 pm

One of the news channels is fair and balanced. The others are… well…. NOT! I have never heard anything positive said about a leading Republican figure on NBC/MSNBC/ABC… and CBS gets a few props, not that the lunatic Dan Rather is gone. The corrupt leftists in the network news media just don’t get it. They have a hard-left agenda that they are willing to squander their credibility to save.

rulierose • on Jan 28, 2014 2:47 pm

that’s exactly right. you NEVER hear anything positive about Republicans on MSNBC, whereas you frequently hear positive things about Democrats (and Obama) on Fox. O’Reilly in particular seems to have a soft spot for the pres. and it’s worked out for him: who’s doing the Obama Super Bowl interview?

Lincoln • on Jan 29, 2014 5:34 am

And Hannity doesn’t hesitate to slam Rhinos. He railed on Bush over his spending, as did all the Major conservative talking heads. It stems from original thought and principles.

Dave • on Jan 28, 2014 2:11 pm

Fox does not shine obama’s shoes line the other networks do.

SheLovesMedia • on Jan 28, 2014 2:38 pm

No matter what your political leanings are, every person interested in working in Hollywood needs to be armed with this information–it says that conservative viewers are a viable audience that will watch shows and movies that reflect their views. You can like it or hate it, but if you’re a business person, you need to know how demographics impact a project or company you could work on/for.

Steve • on Jan 29, 2014 6:07 am

Very astute remark to Hollywood. Would the FNC numbers could slip if someone would ALSO present aa conservaqtive view, or at least provide a conservativ talker, or two.

Tea bagger • on Jan 28, 2014 2:40 pm

It is the only place Tea Baggers and Republican’s can get their propaganda. no surprise

sanityisrare • on Jan 28, 2014 3:59 pm

GLAADBAGGERS UNITE !!! Let’s all turn our channels to MSNBC together tonight to show a force of unity !!!! That should show ’em …57 total viewers 9one from each state).

MCW • on Jan 28, 2014 2:41 pm

I’m shocked… shocked I tell you. Said no one ever.

rulierose • on Jan 28, 2014 2:45 pm

oh, you Fox haters! you make me laugh.

in fact, Fox is the only one of the 3 cable news nets that even offers a straight news show (I think CNN might have at one time, but lord only knows what’s going on over there right now.)

Bret Baier at 6pm (EDT) is news like it used to be: straight down the middle. 40 minutes of objective news reporting, 20 minutes of a panel featuring the two smartest conservatives alive today (Will and Krauthammer) and some pretty nifty lefties too (Kirsten Powers, Mara Liasson, Juan Williams, and many writers from the NYT and WaPo).

now if you’ve been watching MSNBC a long time, you may have forgotten what “reporting” sounds like. here’s a handy example for you:

reporting = “President Obama today signed the Affordable Care Act into law, which
Republicans say will damage rather than help American healthcare.”

MSNBC = “President Obama again tried to stand up to the Man and bring free healthcare to the people, but the racist Republicans who think sick children should just die will not let him do this for us. why do they hate black people so much?”

see the difference?

Scooter • on Jan 28, 2014 3:01 pm

Fox rules because ignorance is bliss.

Rob • on Jan 28, 2014 3:51 pm

On your side of the tracks, yes.

sunnyd55 • on Jan 28, 2014 3:03 pm

This a wooping has been going on for a while now. You would think the progressives would get it. This is priceless.

robert palmer • on Jan 28, 2014 3:38 pm

If it wasn’t for fox news this country would be dire straights

FoxNewsRUs • on Jan 28, 2014 3:44 pm

Fox News represents fairness and avenue that tells the “TRUTH” about our Government, Politics, and the likes! At least they are not afraid to report the findings and the facts and are not lead by the elitist members of our society and will tell it like it is in the face of bullshit! GO FOX NEWS! Keep Being Relevant!

Shane • on Jan 28, 2014 3:45 pm

CNN used to be the only news channel I watched. They dominated news and were very good at it. I’m not sure when, why, or how it happened, but at some point they became so liberal and so biased and sickening to watch, that I just couldn’t watch them anymore. I now watch Fox. They do a good job of presenting more than one side of a news topic and they definitely are the absolute best that we have to choose from right now.

Frank Griffin • on Jan 28, 2014 3:48 pm

You know the other cable outlets are not in it for the money. If they were they would do a better job at reporting on all the issues (benghazi) and would act fair and balanced. Until they do, their ratings will continue to drop but I don’t think they really care about that. Like a true liberal the short term gain is all that really matters.

Mary • on Jan 28, 2014 3:50 pm

Yea Baby!!! CNN, MSNBC etc all monitor Fox News…Love it!!

lol • on Jan 28, 2014 3:52 pm

Funny, seriously. All you ever hear from the dividers at Faux are these guys complaining about the “main stream media”, Faux news *IS* the mainstream media and all you sit there, every day and hear these words read to you and just nod your head. They lie to you constantly, and you just nod your head. It’s called brainwashing. I am in NO WAY supportive of the msnbca/abc/cnn whatever news either. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a right leaning moderate independent, all of these news stations are terrible. And even when they lie to you with even their motto every day, you all just nod your head and let them program your mind to believe what the people that pay them tell them to say.

terro • on Jan 28, 2014 5:17 pm

Seriously dude, for eons, intelligent people have been seeking out multiple news sources, confirming what they can, discarding what is preposterous, and making judgement calls about the rest. You parrotting remarks only clarify you. Not anyone else.

USPatriot • on Jan 28, 2014 5:44 pm

Before I go on dissecting this simple minded post, let me make clear that it is truthful and cognitive analysis of verifiable observation that quantifies my determination to watch Fox News.
(Stick that in your pipe and smoke it!)

Here’s a whopper:
“All you ever hear from the dividers at Faux are these guys complaining about the “main stream media”, Faux news *IS* the mainstream media and all you sit there, every day and hear these words read to you and just nod your head. They lie to you constantly, and you just nod your head. It’s called brainwashing.”

This is really just babble. I’ve never heard of Faux news. I’ve heard of Fox News. Tell Obama I like my Fox News and I want to keep it. Tell Hilary Clinton it makes a difference now because she could have prevented the Benghazi attack on Sept. 11, 2012. Fox News exposes these incompetent boob liberal Democrats as they have lied and will probably lie again and again. In my decades of observation it is quite vividly apparent that the MSM is the propaganda arm of the Democrat National Committee.

Watching Fox News results in the strengthening of my autonomy, rewards me for clear and cognitive thinking and confirms and strengthens my beliefs and affiliations.

“I am in NO WAY supportive of the msnbca/abc/cnn whatever news either.”

I don’t support any news channel, neither. I support my family and my country.

“Don’t get me wrong. I’m a right leaning moderate independent…”

I haven’t gotten you yet.

dePreda • on Jan 29, 2014 7:04 am

Ok “lol” try this tiny exercise: Take 5 ‘news’ stories as broadcast by your favorite source (guessing that you will probably go with the likes of msnbc or cnn) and compare them with offshore news sources like ‘Pravda’ ‘BBC’ ‘Spiegal’ or a couple of others; you choose. I’ll tell you in advance that you’ll find the ‘news’ as “reported” by your choices of American based broadcasters will not be anywhere close to the actual reporting (versus the propagandizing, again by your choices) when it is not under the control of the DNC. There is a second part to the exercise: DO THE ACTUAL RESEARCH yourself! using multiple sources. The one thing that your precious, so-called “mainstream media” cannot afford is to have people do just that – research the ‘information’ without their filter.

Mikey • on Jan 29, 2014 10:26 am

Care to point out one of these “lies”
Of course not. Because you can’t.
Just because you hear news and opinions you don’t like, doesn’t make them lies.

USPatriot • on Feb 1, 2014 11:14 am

Your post is immature and childish. Sounds like a foolish, snot nosed kid. Do you also speak in a nasal tone and cry a lot?

USPatriot • on Feb 1, 2014 11:21 am

Let’s examine this:
“Care to point out one of these “lies”
Of course not. Because you can’t.”

Mikey states that the other person can’t ‘point out one of these “lies” before the other person has a chance to respond. We can surmise that Mikey does not like to play fairly.